Art Neville

Art Neville
Robbie Mendelson robbiesaurus · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Art Neville
Background	solo_singer
Birth date	17 December 1937
Birth place	New Orleans
Death date	22 July 2019
Death place	New Orleans
Genres	R&B, soul, funk
Occupations	Musician, singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer
Instruments	Keyboards, piano, organ, vocals
Years active	1950s–2019
Labels	Minit Records, Warner Bros. Records, Reprise Records
Associated acts	The Neville Brothers, The Meters, The Funky Meters, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Paul McCartney

Art Neville

Arthur Lanon Neville (December 17, 1937 – July 22, 2019) was an American singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and bandleader from New Orleans known for shaping New Orleans R&B, funk, and contemporary soul. He co-founded influential groups that bridged regional sounds with national audiences, and collaborated with artists across rock, jazz, and blues. Neville was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame–inducted collective The Neville Brothers and was celebrated for his work with The Meters and their offshoots.

Early life and musical beginnings

Born and raised in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans into a Creole-Irish musical family, Neville grew up alongside siblings Aaron Neville, Cyril Neville, and Ivan and absorbed local traditions such as second line, brass band culture, and gospel music. He started performing in the 1950s with regional R&B outfits influenced by artists like Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, and Buster Brown, honing organ and piano techniques rooted in barrelhouse piano and boogie-woogie. Neville's early recordings appeared on regional labels including Imperial Records and Minit Records and connected him with producers and musicians associated with Allen Toussaint, Cosimo Matassa, and the New Orleans sound recording scene.

The Neville Brothers and Funk Legacy

Neville co-founded The Neville Brothers with siblings that combined R&B, funk, and soul into a distinctive group sound that engaged audiences at venues like Tipitina's and festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Parallel to The Neville Brothers, Art led instrumental formations linked to the pioneering funk ensemble The Meters, whose members included Leo Nocentelli, George Porter Jr., and Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste. Neville's organ and keyboard work contributed to classics that informed later acts such as Parliament-Funkadelic, Prince, and James Brown. The Meters and The Neville Brothers collaborated with national artists including The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, and Eric Clapton, extending New Orleans funk into mainstream rock music and popular culture through recordings, tours, and television appearances.

Solo career and collaborations

Beyond group projects, Neville pursued solo recordings and production partnerships that involved figures from Atlantic Records, Reprise Records, and independent New Orleans studios. He recorded and performed with a broad array of artists spanning genres: session and stage collaborations included Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Celia Cruz, and rock artists such as Paul McCartney and The Grateful Dead. Neville's credits include guest appearances, organ tracks, and co-writing that tied him to soundtrack work, charity concerts like Farm Aid, benefit performances for Hurricane Katrina relief, and tribute concerts honoring Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.

Style, influences, and musicianship

Neville's playing combined the rhythmic syncopation of New Orleans R&B with gospel-derived voicings associated with performers like Ray Charles and pianists such as Professor Longhair and Dr. John. His Hammond organ tone and modal choices influenced later keyboardists in soul music, funk, and jazz fusion, and his leadership bridged ensemble arrangements used by Big Easy brass outfits and small combo funk quartets typified by The Meters. Songwriting and vocal arrangements reflected elements from doo-wop, blues, and Creole musical traditions, making Neville a touchstone for musicians and producers studying the transmission of regional styles into national genres.

Personal life and death

Neville lived most of his life in New Orleans and was active in community events, preservation efforts for local music institutions such as Tipitina's Foundation, and mentoring younger musicians connected to Tulane University music programs and local schools. He received honors from cultural organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts and local proclamations from the City of New Orleans. Neville died on July 22, 2019, at a hospital in New Orleans; his passing prompted tributes from figures across music and civic life, including statements by local officials, fellow artists like Dr. John and Aaron Neville, and institutions such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Category:1937 births Category:2019 deaths Category:American keyboardists Category:American soul singers Category:Musicians from New Orleans